2022 Steward School Costa Rica Conservation Expedition

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2022 Steward School Costa Rica Conservation Expedition! There are two webpage associated with this program: the Pre-Enrollment page  will share exciting highlights and important info that participants will want to know before signing up. Once registered, you'll begin using the Post-Enrollment page which offers a greater level of detail.  Please be sure to review the information thoroughly and get excited for a once in a lifetime opportunity in Costa Rica! Pura Vida!!
Travel Dates: February 26, 2022 - March 5, 2022
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $1,850 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
Confirmed Airfare: $539

This program is currently at full capacity.

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Costa Rica Service Adventure

From white sand beaches to misty cloud forests, towering volcanoes to beautiful rivers that carve through tropical canyons, and  hospitable, friendly communities, Costa Rica has it all! Our service adventures give travelers the opportunity to delve deep into small, rural communities set in stunningly beautiful corners of the country.  In addition to white water rafting, relaxing on white sand beaches and swimming at the base of a towering waterfall, students will gain confidence in their Spanish, contribute to a meaningful service project and grow into more confident travelers. Adventure awaits!

Service Adventures

Service Adventures

Service Adventures can combine rural homestays, adventure travel, and meaningful service projects which are guided by our community partners. Living in these small communities provides the opportunity to engage the language and culture from a uniquely advantageous position.

Program Highlights


Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!

Brew coffee and make empanadas with a local farmer's family

Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends

Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle

Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors

Practice your Spanish language skills with locals

Collaborate on a service project in your homestay community

The Itinerary


We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
February 26USA - San Jose, Costa RicaToday the group travels from the USA to San Jose, Costa Rica. You'll be met by your Walking Tree leaders upon arrival, after which we head to the hotel for dinner, an orientation meeting, and some rest after the long day of travel. Hotel La Rosa de America
February 27San Jose - Pura SuerteOur journey begins in earnest when we leave the city for Pura Suerte, a beautiful farm tucked deep in the southern rain forest of the country. Upon arrival we will settle into our bamboo bungalows and then tour the farm for a hands-on experience involving tropical fruits, local coffee beans and a whole host of animals! We will learn about the stunning biodiversity of the area as well as how rural farmers are taking advantage of sustainable practices. This evening we'll enjoy a delicious dinner at Pura Suerte's large restaurant and then retire to our cabins for some group activities.Pura Suerte Jungalows
February 28Host CommunityAfter breakfast we hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, one of the most spectacular in a country full of spectacular waterfalls! We will spend a few leisurely hours swimming, relaxing, and enjoying lunch at the waterfall. In the afternoon we'll head to our host community, a beautiful mountain town called San Gerardo de Rivas. After arrival we'll tour the town, learn more about our service project/s and check into our local accommodations. Breakfast will be at the hotel while lunch will be served at the service site. In the afternoons and evenings, activities are flexible and will vary, but may include time with local families, excursions to explore the surrounding area, or pick up soccer games. There will be ample opportunity each day to speak Spanish. Hotel El Descanso
March 1Host CommunityIt's back to work this morning! After lunch we will have time to explore town and complete a scavenger hunt that will help us get our bearings in town. In the evening we're back to our hotel for dinner and a reflection session. Hotel El Descanso
March 2Host CommunityToday, we will continue working on our service projects. This afternoon we will have time to organize group activities with locals; otherwise, we may organize a trip to the nearby hot springs. Evening activities will vary, and may include a small fiesta de despedida! Hotel El Descanso
March 3Host Community - UvitaAfter breakfast we will head west to the surfside town of Uvita on the central Pacific coast. After getting settled in our hotel, students will take surf lessons from professional instructors along a wide, expansive and empty stretch of coastline that has a reputation for breaks that are great for beginners. After surfing and enjoying the beach for the afternoon, we'll retire for a delicious dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hotel El Tecal
March 4Uvita - San JoseWe'll have a relaxing morning in Uvita before jumping on the bus and beginning the trip back to the city. We'll stop for lunch in the quite seaside town of Dominical where students will also be able to do some souvenir shopping. After arriving back in San Jose we'll have a final celebratory dinner together to commemorate our time together!Hotel Casa Cielo Grande
March 5Alajuela - USAFly home!Your own bed, eventually!

Accommodations


In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.  We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Rosa de las Américas

A charming ranch-style hotel on the outskirts of San José, Rosa de  las Americas is a great spot to unwind after a long day’s travels. This hotel is complete with a lush gardens, a big pool, updated rooms, and friendly staff.

Finca Pura Suerte

A grouping of bamboo cabins and impressive communal spaces, this farm is nestled deep in low-land rain forest with views of the Pacific coastline. The accommodations are comfortable, the food fantastic, and the surreal setting provides an ideal introduction to the country’s impressive flora and fauna.

Hotel El Descanso

This is small but cozy hotel that typically hosts travelers that come to the region to hike Cerro Chirripo, Costa Rica’s highest peak. This family owned hotel has great views of the surrounding mountains and is located only a short walk away from the community’s center  by  The hotel also has its own restaurant where students may get a wide variety of food. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Villas Aracari

Villas Aracari is a beautiful property ideally located just twenty minutes from the airport. Close to the city center yet perched high in the mountains, the views of the Central Valley are breathtaking and the new pool is a delightful respite after a hot day. Spotless rooms and friendly staff will make you feel at home the moment you drop your bags.

Safety and Support


 EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

I was very concerned about my daughter who has a peanut allergy travelling to a foreign country for the first time without us. Walking Tree was very sensitive to my concerns and reassured me that this is something they could handle and they did! I would send her again in a heartbeat. Thank you Walking Tree.

Kerry
Parent of Emilie, traveler on 2018 Service Program to Costa Rica

Your Adventure Includes

Estimated Airfare

In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel. 

Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.

 

Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.

Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more.  There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!

Learn more here.

WTT coffee
Resource center

Resource Center

Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.

Learn More

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